Physicist
Physicist

Biography

Bruce Pierson is a physicist supporting the National Security Directorate at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Since 2007, he has been gaining experience in radiation detection, detector simulation and modeling, and gamma spectrum analysis.

His skills include neutron dosimetry modeling and measurements for nuclear material damage and nuclear accident dosimetry, analyzing and simulating mixed fission product samples from seconds to months post-irradiation in support of fundamental nuclear physics, and work with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBTO) International Monitoring System.

He also served as an analyst for the U.S.-based CTBTO radiation laboratory-16, where his dissertation work involved building a multi-coincidence gamma detection system and linking it to a pneumatic sample transfer system for cyclic neutron activation of actinides to measure fission product yields from 14 mega electron-volt neutron-induced fission.

Research Interest

  • Radiation Detection
  • Radiation Transport and Modeling
  • Radiolysis
  • Nuclear Accident Dosimetry
  • Nuclear Forensics
  • Nuclear Decay Physics
  • Nuclear Incident Response

Education

  • PhD in nuclear engineering, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
  • MS in nuclear engineering and radiological sciences, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
  • BS in nuclear engineering, Idaho State University

Affiliations and Professional Service

  • Member of the American Nuclear Society, 2007-present
  • Member of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management, 2007-present

Awards and Recognitions

  • Outstanding Project Performance Award for Modeling Hydrogen Radiolysis from Fukushima Fuel Debris Canisters, PNNL, 2016
  • Outstanding Performance Award Plutonium Metal Storage in SAVVY-4000 containers, Radiation Protection, PNNL, 2016
  • Nuclear Forensics Graduate Fellowship Awardee, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy (DOE), 2013
  • Nuclear Energy University Program Fellowship Awardee, Nuclear Energy University Programs, DOE 2010

Patents

  • Patent Award US20140226773A1, Nuclear Reactor Target Assemblies, Nuclear Reactor Configurations, and Methods for Producing Isotopes, Modifying Materials Within Target Material, and/or Characterizing Material Within a Target Material

Publications

2025

  • Cheng S., B.D. Pierson, S. Pomme, B.C. Archambault, and M. Flaska. 2025. "Time-interval distributions in a digital gamma multi-channel analyzer at extreme input rates." Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment 1073, no. _:170260. PNNL-SA-203879. doi:10.1016/j.nima.2025.170260

2024

  • Goodell J., J.A. Church, C.C. Keith, N.K. Harward, B.D. Pierson, S.J. Tumey, and C. Dorais, et al. 2024. "Determining the 9Be(n,y)10Be integral cross section at fission neutron energies." Physical Review C 109, no. 1:Art. No. 014625. PNNL-SA-189226. doi:10.1103/PhysRevC.109.014625
  • Loer B.M., P. Harrington, B.C. Archambault, E.S. Fuller, B.D. Pierson, I.J. Arnquist, and K. Harouaka, et al. 2024. "Abatement of Ionizing Radiation for Superconducting Quantum Devices." Journal of Instrumentation 19, no. 9:Art. No. P09001. PNNL-SA-195572. doi:10.1088/1748-0221/19/09/P09001
  • Morrison E.C., J.M. Bowen, B.D. Pierson, L.R. Greenwood, V.T. Woods, Z.S. Finch, and A.C. Edwards, et al. 2024. "Improved production and purification of 240Am by deuteron-induced activation of 240Pu target." Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms 553, no. _:Art. No. 165408. PNNL-SA-156505. doi:10.1016/j.nimb.2024.165408
  • Riley T., J. Matthews, M.T. Athon, B.A. Collins, K.L. Gervais, J.A. Katalenich, and D.A. Koch, et al. 2024. "Radiation Modeling of Z1: Validation of a Novel Radioisotope System." In Proceedings of Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space (NETS 2024), May 6-10, 2024, Santa Fe, NM, 482 - 488. Westmont, Illinois:American Nuclear Society. PNNL-SA-193294. doi:10.13182/NETS24-43776
  • Tamashiro A., J. Harke, J. Garcia Duarte, Y.H. Mishnayot, S. Burcher, S.W. Padgett, and P. Zhao, et al. 2024. "237Np Fission Spectrum Cumulative Fission Product Yield Measurement Using Godiva IV Critical Assembly." Nuclear Data Sheets 193, no. _:131-152. PNNL-SA-195252. doi:10.1016/j.nds.2024.01.006
  • Tamashiro A., J. Harke, J. Garcia Duarte, Y.H. Mishnayot, S.W. Padgett, G.W. Slavik, and S. Burcher, et al. 2024. "239Pu Fission Spectrum Cumulative Fission Product Yield Measurement Using Godiva IV Critical Assembly." Nuclear Data Sheets 193, no. _:153-177. PNNL-SA-195253. doi:10.1016/j.nds.2024.01.007
  • Tamashiro A., S. Burcher, J. Harke, B.D. Pierson, J. Garcia Duarte, Y.H. Mishnayot, and S.W. Padgett, et al. 2024. "New Constraint on the 237Np(n,g)238Np Integral Cross Section Using the Godiva-IV Critical Assembly." Physical Review C 110, no. 1:Art. No. 014626. PNNL-SA-206070. doi:10.1103/PhysRevC.110.014626
  • Uhnak N.E., S.A. Saslow, J.M. Bowen, B.D. Pierson, E.S. Arnold, C.L. Beck, and M.M. Haney, et al. 2024. "Removal of fission product tellurium and iodine from recently irradiated HEU using copper metal." Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 333, no. 1:467-479. PNNL-SA-188000. doi:10.1007/s10967-023-09275-8
  • Whitman N.H., B.D. Pierson, R.A. Weldon, T. Cutler, M. Gooden, J.D. Hutchinson, and R. Sanchez, et al. 2024. "Godiva IV central cavity neutron environment characterization with threshold neutron detectors." In ISRD 17 - International Symposium on Reactor Dosimetry (Part II) , May 21-26, 2023, Lausanne, Switzerland. EPJ Web of Conferences, edited by P. Frajtag, D. Thornton and J. Wagemans, 308, Paper No. 06005. PNNL-SA-206856. doi:10.1051/epjconf/202430806005
  • Wren M.S., A. Weberg, A.A. Salazar, M.R. Klosterman, S.J. Eaton, T.L. Goehring, and S.M. Herman, et al. 2024. "A new method for quantifying 64Cu in nuclear debris samples." Talanta 275, no. _:Art. No. 126140. PNNL-SA-205534. doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126140
  • Zipperer T.J., L.R. Greenwood, B.D. Pierson, W.G. Luscher, C.C. Hines, and C.C. Hines. 2024. "Flux Characterization of Washington State University's Epithermal Neutron Beam Facility." In Transactions of the American Nuclear Society. ANS Winter Conference and Expo 2024, November 17-21, 2024, Orlando, FL, 131, 1050-1052. Westmont, Illinois:American Nuclear Society. PNNL-SA-200585.

2023

  • Hurst A., B.D. Pierson, B.C. Archambault, L. Bernstein, and S.M. Tannous. 2023. "A decay database of coincident ? - ? and ? - X-ray branching ratios for in-field spectroscopy applications." European Physical Journal A. Hadrons and nuclei. 284. PNNL-SA-194828. doi:10.1051/epjconf/202328418002
  • Kuatbek M., B.D. Pierson, S.M. Lyons, M. Flaska, and A.M. Johnsen. 2023. "Characterization of the Fast-Neutron Irradiator and the Fast-Flux Tube Irradiation Fixtures at the Pennsylvania State Breazeale Reactor." Nuclear Engineering and Design 413. PNNL-SA-188802. doi:10.1016/j.nucengdes.2023.112505
  • Lyons S.M., B.D. Pierson, M.I. Mayfield, J.F. Christ, C.A. Lani, and M. Flaska. 2023. "Characterization of D-T Generator Neutron Flux Spectrum for Cyclic Neutron Activation Analysis Experiments." In Women in Physics, the Proceedings of the Seventh IUPAP International Conference on Women in Physics, July 11-16, 2021, Virtual, Online. AIP Conference Proceedings, edited by C.P. Foley, D.M. Kane and J. Turner, 3040, Art. No. 070003. Melville, New York:AIP Publishing. PNNL-SA-168063. doi:10.1063/5.0176948
  • Morrison E.C., S.S. Morrison, J.M. Bowen, B.D. Pierson, L.R. Greenwood, V.T. Woods, and C.Z. Soderquist, et al. 2023. "Stacked target irradiations and radiochemical separations for simultaneous production of short-lived Ni and Ir isotopes." Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 332, no. 2023:2533-2542. PNNL-SA-178600. doi:10.1007/s10967-023-08917-1
  • Uhnak N.E., E.J. Warzecha, M.M. Haney, B.D. Pierson, L.R. Greenwood, T. Trang-Le, and D.W. Byram, et al. 2023. Update of the Cesium-136 Cumulative Fission Yields at Multiple Neutron Energies. PNNL-34287. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Update of the Cesium-136 Cumulative Fission Yields at Multiple Neutron Energies

2022

  • Archambault B.C., N.E. Uhnak, B.D. Pierson, G.M. Spitler, and J.H. Estrada. 2022. Improvements to the 115g/115mCd Nuclear Data. PNNL-32563. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Improvements to the 115g/115mCd Nuclear Data
  • Lani C.A., B.D. Pierson, S.M. Lyons, and M. Flaska. 2022. "Optimization Simulations for a Gamma-Ray Calibration Standard for a Cyclic Neutron Activation Analysis Pneumatic System at the Penn State Breazeale Reactor." In IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference (NSS/MIC 2021), October 16-23, 2021, Piscataway, NJ, 1-4. Piscataway, New Jersey:IEEE. PNNL-SA-169296. doi:10.1109/NSS/MIC44867.2021.9875483
  • McDonald B.S., A. Danagoulian, J.A. Kulisek, J.M. Rahon, J.L. Burnett, A.J. Gilbert, and M.E. Moore, et al. 2022. New NDA Methods for Thorium Fuel Cycle Safeguards: Mid-Project Report. PNNL-33726. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. New NDA Methods for Thorium Fuel Cycle Safeguards: Mid-Project Report
  • Pierson B.D., B.C. Archambault, L.R. Greenwood, M.M. Haney, M.G. Cantaloub, A.R. Hagen, and S.M. Herman, et al. 2022. "Alpha/Beta-gated Gamma-Gamma Spectroscopy of Mixed Fission Products for Trace Analysis." Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 331, no. 12:5453-5467. PNNL-SA-172636. doi:10.1007/s10967-022-08606-5
  • Uhnak N.E., M.M. Haney, L.R. Greenwood, B.D. Pierson, J.I. Friese, and L.A. Metz. 2022. R-Value Measurements Performed on Uranium Targets Irradiated with Fission Spectrum Neutrons FY 2021 for F2019 Project. PNNL-32666. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. R-Value Measurements Performed on Uranium Targets Irradiated with Fission Spectrum Neutrons FY 2021 for F2019 Project
  • Uhnak N.E., M.M. Haney, L.R. Greenwood, B.D. Pierson, T. Trang-Le, D.W. Byram, and B.K. McNamara, et al. 2022. 14 MeV Irradiation and Analysis of a 93% 239Pu Target. PNNL-33060. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. 14 MeV Irradiation and Analysis of a 93% 239Pu Target

2021

2020

  • Pierson B.D., L.R. Greenwood, S.C. Stave, J.T. Burke, S.W. Padgett, A.M. Prinke, and J.A. Goda, et al. 2020. "Improved Cumulative Fission Yield Measurements with Fission Spectrum Neutrons on 238U." Nuclear Data Sheets 163. PNNL-SA-148863. doi:10.1016/j.nds.2019.12.006
  • Schwantes J.M., E.M. Hanson, J.D. Bohlke, J.R. Cartwright, R.A. Clark, J.F. Corbey, and M.D. Engelmann, et al. 2020. Summary of Forensic Examinations in Support of Breach Sealed Source Event at Harborview Medical Facility on 2 May 2019. PNNL-30053 Rev. 3. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Summary of Forensic Examinations in Support of Breach Sealed Source Event at Harborview Medical Facility on 2 May 2019

2019

  • B. D. Pierson et al., “Improved Cumulative Fission Yield Measurements with Fission Spectrum Neutrons on 238U,” Nucl. Data Sheets, vol. 155, pp. 86–97, Jan. 2019.
  • B. D. Pierson et al., “Improved Cumulative Fission Yield Measurements with Fission Spectrum Neutrons on 235U,” Nucl. Data Sheets, vol. 155, pp. 86–97, Jan. 2019.

2018

  • L. M. Arrigo, L. R. Greenwood, B. D. Pierson, L. A. Metz, and J. I. Friese, “Radiochemical separations and experimental measurements of short-lived fission products from 14 MeV irradiation of depleted uranium,” J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem., vol. 318, no. 1, pp. 353–360, Oct. 2018.
  • M. J. Jackson et al., “International inter-comparison exercise on 153Sm,” J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem., vol. 318, no. 1, pp. 107–115, Oct. 2018.
  • L. Greenwood, B. Pierson, and C. Johnson, “Enhancement of STAYSL_PNNL with IRDFF/V1.05 to 60 MeV,” React. Dosim. 16th Int. Symp., Nov. 2018.

2017

  • B. D. Pierson, L. R. Greenwood, M. Flaska, and S. A. Pozzi, “Fission Product Yields from 232Th, 238U, and 235U Using 14 MeV Neutrons,” Nucl. Data Sheets, vol. 139, pp. 171–189, Jan. 2017.

2015

  • B. D. Pierson, H. C. Griffin, M. Flaska, J. A. Katalenich, B. B. Kitchen, and S. A. Pozzi, “Benchmarking the repeatability of a pneumatic cyclic neutron activation analysis facility using 16O(n,p)16N for nuclear forensics,” Appl. Radiat. Isot., vol. 96, pp. 20–26, Feb. 2015.
  • M. Febbraro et al., “Deuterated scintillators and their application to neutron spectroscopy,” Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, vol. 784, pp. 184–188, Jun. 2015.
  • E. C. Finn et al., “Cumulative fission yields of short-lived isotopes under natural-abundance-boron-carbide-moderated neutron spectrum,” J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem., vol. 306, no. 1, pp. 79–91, 2015.

2014

  • M. Febbraro et al., “A Novel Approach to Study of Neutron Producing Reactions for Nuclear Astrophysics,” in APS April Meeting Abstracts, 2014.

2013

  • L. R. Greenwood et al., “Design and Testing of a Boron Carbide Capsule for Spectral Tailoring in Mixed-Spectrum Reactors,” vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 1–5, 2013.

2012

  • B. D. Pierson et al., “Identifying and quantifying short-lived fission products from thermal fission of HEU using portable HPGe detectors,” J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem., vol. 295, no. 3, pp. 1881–1885, 2012.

2011

  • E. Finn et al., “Short-lived fission product measurements from ≥0.1 MeV neutron-induced fission using boron carbide,” J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem., vol. 293, no. 1, pp. 267–272, Feb. 2012.
  • J. J. Toth et al., “Production of Molybdenum-99 using Neutron Capture Methods,” Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)., 2011.
  • Erin C Finn et al., “Methods to Collect, Compile, and Analyze Observed Short-lived Fission Product Gamma Data,” Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, Formal Report PNNL-20141, 2011.

2009

  • R. F. Payne et al., “Neutron fluence and energy reproducibility of a 2-dollar TRIGA reactor pulse,” J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem., vol. 282, no. 1, pp. 59–62, 2009.
  • L. A. Metz, R. F. Payne, J. I. Friese, L. R. Greenwood, J. D. Kephart, and B. D. Pierson, “Experimental measurements of short-lived fission products from uranium, neptunium, plutonium and americium,” J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem., vol. 282, no. 2, pp. 373–377, 2009.